Black Friday protests held in Bicol, CLuzon

Nationwide mass actions for the National Day of Unity and Rage called the Black Friday protests were held in various parts of the country, condemning the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) and demanding justice for martial law victims.

Bayan-Bicol spokesman Vince Casilihan said their region-wide protest activities were held in key cities and municipalities.

“To Bayan-Bicol, these Black Friday protests are not just a historic display of indignation against the Marcos burial. The progressive organizations here demand justice not only for the victims of martial law but also for the victims of the imprints of martial law that continue to exist today,” Casilihan added in a statement.

In Legazpi City, Albay, he said, the protesters paraded a real funeral car followed by nine people, representing the Supreme Court Justices who voted in favor of the former president’s burial at the LNMB, while similar activities were held in Daet, Camarines Norte; Sorsogon City, Sorsogon and Virac, Catanduanes.

In Naga City, Camarines Sur, members of the College Editors Guild-Bicol from the Ateneo de Naga University, University of Nueva Caceres and University of Northeastern Philippines, lit candles at Plaza Rizal.

Similarly, in Central Luzon, Kilusan ng mga Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chairman Joseph Canlas told The Manila Times that about 2,000 anti-Marcos protesters held simultaneous rallyies in the provinces of Nueva Ecija,Aurora, Tarlac and Angeles City (Pampanga) at 4 p.m.

Canlas said the region has about 10,000 victims of human rights abuses during martial law.